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I would like to remove the oxidation from my gel coated boat (mostly white, with a small blue strip), polish, and apply the Captain's boat coating. I would describe the oxidation as moderate. From reading your posts from previous projects I gather your recommended process would be the following:

I don't have the Flex 3401, I only have a rotary polisher and a GG 6 orbital. So I have a few questions:

1. Do I have the above steps basically correct?

2. I understand the benefit of the forced rotation of the 3401, but without out that would you recommend the polishing step using the Captain's One step with the rotary and a foam pad or the GG6 with a foam pad?

3. Finally, I am considering getting a GG Boss 15. How would the Boss compare to the 3401 for the polishing step?

I would like to remove the oxidation from my gel coated boat (mostly white, with a small blue strip), polish, and apply the Captain's boat coating. I would describe the oxidation as moderate. From reading your posts from previous projects I gather your recommended process would be the following:

It simply wipes easier and leaves a streak-free finish while an APC or All Purpose Cleaner doesn't wipe as easily or leave as nice a looking surface.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmb18

2. I understand the benefit of the forced rotation of the 3401, but without out that would you recommend the polishing step using the Captain's One step with the rotary and a foam pad or the GG6 with a foam pad?

I'd go with the Griot's Garage 6" Dual Action Polisher after using the rotary buffer.

In my how-to book I recommend firmer, sharper cutting pads for polishing versus polishing pads as gel-coats don't seem to like soft foam pads? Never figured out why I just know what I see.

For your Griot's Garage polisher, what size backing plate do you have?

5" or 6"

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmb18

3. Finally, I am considering getting a GG Boss 15. How would the Boss compare to the 3401 for the polishing step?

The Griot's Garage BOSS G15 works GREAT for the polishing step on gel-coat boats.

Same tip as I mentioned above, that is use a foam cutting pad for the polishing step instead of a soft foam polishing pad and my experience is you create a nicer looking finish.

Let me know which tool your going to end up using and if it's the 6" DA polisher then what size backing plate and I'll recommend a foam pad.

2. I understand the benefit of the forced rotation of the 3401, but without out that would you recommend

the polishing step using the Captain's One step with the rotary and a foam pad

or

the GG6 with a foam pad?

My personal preference is to not finish gel-coat boats out with rotary buffers but switch to ANY dual action polisher instead.

Although white gel-coats won't show holograms as easily as darker colored gel-coats, they can be there just the same and they create a more open surface which can lead to oxidation faster than a completely flat, smooth surface.

Thank you very much for your reply, Mike. I think I need to just break down and buy your book.

I get compliments on it all the time. I'd be happy to sign it for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmb18

Right now, I plan on using the GG6 for the polishing step. I actually have both backing plates. Which do you recommend and which pads?

Thanks again.

Kind of relative with the Griot's Garage 6" dual action polisher as it has enough power to rotate both 5.5 and 6.5" pads if they are thin.

Griot's makes great foam polishing pads in both 5.5" and 6.5" and these have holes in the center. I'm not 100% sure but I think the benefit to the hole in the center is it prevents heat transfer from the center of the backing plate to the back of the buffing pad. Thus less chance for pad de-lamination if you push the pads hard for excessive time.

The orange cutting pads should work best for polishing steps on gel-coat.